Macro-fiscal analysis and policy modelling

Request for Research Proposals
Macro-fiscal Analysis and Policy Modelling

The United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER), together with the National Treasury of South Africa, is requesting research proposals under the second phase of the Southern Africa – Towards Inclusive Economic Development (SA-TIED) programme. The papers generated under this Request for Research Proposals (RfRP) will be published as a part of the macro-fiscal analysis and policy modelling workstream of the programme. Submission deadline: 15 September 2022, 23:59 UTC+3.

Arguably, one of South Africa’s main challenges is to generate economic growth that is inclusive, thus reducing unemployment, poverty, and inequality. Both fiscal and monetary policy might play a role in this. Investigating the roles of fiscal and monetary policy and understanding the nature and drivers of investment and economic growth in South Africa, the following are priority research areas:

• The role of fiscal anchors (fiscal targets) to guide sustainable fiscal policymaking and execution.
• Fiscal risk as a key component of fiscal policymaking.
• The macro-fiscal position in support of sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
• The determinants of (potential) economic growth, investment, and total factor productivity.
• The co-ordination of fiscal and monetary policy in support of macroeconomic stability and sustainable economic growth.
• Monetary policy and inflation; micro- and macro-prudential policy and financial stability, and economic growth.

Against this backdrop, UNU-WIDER together with the National Treasury of South Africa announce a Request for Research Proposals on topics within the above research areas.

Offer and Expectations

UNU-WIDER and the National Treasury of South Africa invite proposals from qualified researchers for papers examining the questions as outlined above. Papers that pass initial screening will be considered for publication under UNU-WIDER copyright as an SA-TIED research paper and possibly also in the WIDER Working Paper Series. The working papers need to be written in English and limited to 10,000 words or less (inclusive of text, tables, figures, footnotes, references, etc.). Papers may use either theoretical or empirical approaches.

Proposals from individuals (or groups of individuals) as well as non-profit organizations are welcome. Applications from women and South African researchers are particularly encouraged. Proposals may address one or more of the research questions.

Important Dates

1. 1 August 2022: Launch of request for research proposals
2. 31 August 2022: Deadline for questions on the proposal process
3. 15 September 2022: Proposal submission deadline
4. 13 October 2022: Target date for informing on funding decisions
5. 28 February 2023: Target date for submission of first draft of papers
6. Week of 20 March 2023: Target date for work-in-progress workshop
7. 20 April 2023: Target date for submission of revised near-final draft papers and a one-page summary of key findings

Proposal Submission Procedure

Submission of proposals is done electronically by using the online form on the RfRP announcement page. There are three forms to select from: one for individuals, another for groups of individuals, and a third for non-profit organizations. Please familiarize yourself with the form in advance.

Any questions on the proposal process should be sent to research-proposal@wider.unu.edu by 31 August 2022. All queries and responses will be published on the RfRP announcement page. Selected answers will be updated on a rolling basis.